2011 Issue 2
David was a student of history. His meditation of God’s wonderful acts in the generations of His people encouraged him in his own struggles. Therefore he recounts God’s victories and mighty acts to other generations that they too may glorify God and be motivated to work for His kingdom. “One of David’s greatest joys was the historical task.”- ANTITHESIS, Vol. I, No. 1, p. 2. We have the same task. But because it has been neglected or shirked by generations of Christians in the Twentieth Century, the Church has lost ground and been compromised in her witness. Recapturing this sense of history is essential to the renewal of the Church and the strengthening of her witness in the Twenty-First Century.
The Christian Directory “is the richest and the best single counseling resource available….It is the fullest, most thorough, and most profound treatment of Christian spirituality and standards that has ever been attempted by an evangelical author….‘Back to Baxter’ would make a good and healthful motto for the Christian leadership of our time.”
Meditating on this beautiful truth that the Lord is with me when I am with Him brought to mind what our young Caleb said when I coaxed him out of the big white swing under the poplar tree. I wanted him to taste the blackberries and see the groundhog’s den on the other side of the yard. Eager for a new adventure, Caleb let the others know, ‘Granna will hold my hand and walk with me and I will hold Granna’s hand and walk with her.”
“How does a woman discern the sometimes fine line between proper dress and dressing to be the center of attention? The answer starts in the intent of the heart. A woman should examine her motives and goals for the way she dresses. Is her intent to show the grace and beauty of womanhood? Is it to reveal a humble heart devoted to worshipping God? Or is it to call attention to herself and flaunt her beauty? Or worse, to attempt to lure men sexually? A woman who focuses on worshipping God will consider carefully how she is dressed, because her heart will dictate her wardrobe and appearance.” John MacArthur
The concept of self-defense is easy to understand and its validity is recognized by most people, whether Christian or not. If somebody is attacked, it is easy to understand that fighting back is a proper and even a moral thing to do. That’s why people sympathize with the victim in these situations—self-defense seems naturally just.
That’s also why when a political debate is being framed, each side wants to be seen as the side that is being attacked— they want to be the side that is simply fighting back, rather than the bully who is picking fights.
So it should come as no surprise then that whenever Christians get politically active, they are portrayed as the aggressors. Ever since the 1970s when today’s conservative Christian political movements first began to take shape, Christians have been accused of trying to force our morality on other people. Why, Oh why, can’t we just leave others alone?
